Refino Construction And Home Improvement Ideas

How to Protect Your HVAC System During a Home Remodel

Need a home office, a bigger kitchen, or an additional bathroom? Those are just among the many reasons why homeowners choose to remodel their homes. Ripped up walls, inhabitable rooms, and noise caused by power tools are inconvenient to your home life, but a remodel can increase the value of your property and make your living space a better fit for your family and lifestyle.

Before you begin your home remodeling project, make sure you take the time to protect your heating and cooling system. The demolition and removal of cabinets, tile, and drywall means excess dirt and dust is in the air, and these contaminants can build up in your vents. Over time, the built-up contaminants damages your HVAC system, which translates to more costly repairs. Read on to learn how you can protect your heating and cooling system during your remodeling project.

Preparing Your HVAC System Before Your Home Project

It’s best to contact air conditioning experts and let them know you’re about to embark on a home remodeling project. HVAC professionals can assess if your project will affect the vent, air duct, heating or cooling of your home. For example, if you’re finishing your basement, you also need to consider how to connect your existing ductwork or add additional vents to your new room.

Air conditioning experts can also advise on whether your remodeling plans will affect the cooling efficiency of your HVAC unit. You want to be able to comfortably enjoy your remodeled room, right? So make sure that you include HVAC professionals in your renovation plans. You don’t want to complete your project and then realize that you forgot to consider the heating or cooling of your new space.

Safeguard Your HVAC Unit During Your Renovation

Your renovation is meant to improve your home, not cause additional problems down the road. These tips can help you protect your HVAC unit during the remodeling:

Avoid running your system while work is being done. Excess dust from your remodeling can get into your furnace or cooling system if work is being done while your system is running.

Close the registers in the work area. Dust can get into your HVAC system through the registers.

Cover the vents in the work area with plastic; however, for return vents, attach a temporary air filter so air can be returned while your system is on. Ventilation debris prevention plates are specifically made to prevent construction dust from getting into the system. Another option is using filter media pads. Make sure that you change your air filters every couple of weeks while the project is going on.

Cut or sand outside your home. This helps reduce excessive dust in your home and keeps the work area tidy.

Checking Your HVAC After the Remodel

After completing your project, make sure that you get an inspection of your HVAC system. You should also change the filter after the completion of your home renovation project.

Excess dust and pollutants come with the territory of a home renovation project, but they don’t have to be the downfall of your HVAC system. Make sure that you involve a HVAC technician in your remodeling project so that you enjoy the temperature of your new space as much as how it looks.